Imaging system including a body unit to which a lens unit or an external unit is mounted

ABSTRACT

An imaging system includes: a body unit; at least one type of interchangeable lens unit; and at least one type of external unit, wherein in the case where the body unit and one of the at least one type of interchangeable lens unit are connected integrally, the imaging system becomes an imaging device capable of shooting a photographic subject, and in the case where the body unit and one of the at least one type of external unit are connected integrally, the imaging system becomes a device having a specific function of the external unit connected to the body unit, and wherein when the interchangeable lens unit or the external unit is connected to the body unit, the body unit obtains information on the type of unit connected to the body unit, and is capable of changing control of an entire device including the body unit and the unit connected to the body unit based on the type of unit connected to the body unit.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is based on and claims priority from Japanesepatent application number 2009-254799, filed Nov. 6, 2009, thedisclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in itsentirety.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to an imaging system including a bodyunit, at least one type of interchangeable lens unit, and at least onetype of external unit.

The external unit has specific functions such as a printer function, ascanner function, and the like.

In the case where the body unit and one of the at least one type ofinterchangeable lens unit are connected integrally, the imaging systembecomes an imaging device capable of shooting a photographic subject,and in the case where the body unit and one of the at least one type ofexternal unit are connected integrally, the imaging system becomes adevice having a specific function of the connected external unit.

As a method of transferring image data of an image shot by a digitalcamera (electronic still camera) to a PC (personal computer) or aprinter, a general method is that the camera and the PC, or the cameraand the printer are connected by cables for transferring the image data.

For example, Japanese patent application publication number H06-350888discloses an electronic still camera which connects with a label printerby cables when sending image data to the label printer.

Additionally, Japanese patent application publication number 2000-92358discloses a camera system in which an external connection device has amount part configured similarly to a mount part of a lens side of asingle-lens reflex digital camera, and when a body part of thesingle-lens reflex digital camera and the external connection device areconnected, the body part and the external connection device aremechanically and electrically connected via the mount part of theexternal connection device, and the camera system becomes a devicehaving a specific function of the connected external device.

However, in a connection method by cables as disclosed in Japanesepatent application publication number H06-350888, the electronic stillcamera and the label printer are not organized in one place in the caseof communication, and therefore space is needed as a whole, usability isnot satisfactory, and additionally the appearance is not satisfactorybecause of the cables.

And in Japanese patent application publication number 2000-92358, notonly a main control program in order that the body part implements afunction as a camera, but also a control program for implementing afunction of an arbitrary external connection device are needed to beinstalled in the body part.

Therefore, even though a user uses the camera system disclosed inJapanese patent application publication number 2000-92358 only as acamera, and does not need to buy or use the external connection device,a large memory capacity for storing a control program of the externalconnection device is still needed for a memory in the body part, andaccordingly there is a problem in that the installation cost of the bodypart may increase disadvantageously.

SUMMARY

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an imagingsystem, which is capable of effectively executing a function of anexternal unit in the case where a body unit and the external unit areconnected, and is compact and user-friendly, and has an excellentappearance. And additionally, another object of the present invention isto provide the imaging system in which a cost balance of each unitconstituting the imaging system is appropriate.

In order to achieve the above objects, the embodiment of the presentinvention provides: an imaging system comprising: a body unit; at leastone type of interchangeable lens unit; and at least one type of externalunit, wherein in the case where the body unit and one of the at leastone type of interchangeable lens unit are connected integrally, theimaging system becomes an imaging device capable of shooting aphotographic subject, and in the case where the body unit and one of theat least one type of external unit are connected integrally, the imagingsystem becomes a device having a specific function of the external unitconnected to the body unit, and wherein when the interchangeable lensunit or the external unit is connected to the body unit, the body unitobtains information on the type of unit connected to the body unit, andis capable of changing control of an entire device including the bodyunit and the unit connected to the body unit based on the type of unitconnected to the body unit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of an imaging system in an embodiment ofthe present invention seen from the front and illustrates a state wherean interchangeable lens unit is connected to a body unit.

FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the imaging system in the embodiment ofthe present invention seen from the front and illustrates a state whereanother interchangeable lens unit is connected to the body unit.

FIG. 1C is a perspective view of the body unit of the imaging system inthe embodiment of the present invention seen from the back.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the body unit, the interchangeable lensunit, and an external unit (printer unit) of the imaging system in theembodiment.

FIG. 3A is a perspective view seen from the front illustrating aconnection state of the interchangeable lens unit illustrated in FIG. 1Aof the imaging system in the embodiment.

FIG. 3B is a perspective view seen from the front illustrating aconnection state of the interchangeable lens unit illustrated in FIG. 1Bof the imaging system in the embodiment.

FIG. 4A is a perspective view illustrating a connection state of ascanner unit of the imaging system in the embodiment.

FIG. 4B is a perspective view illustrating a connection state of aprinter unit of the imaging system in the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view seen from the back illustrating switchesand switch icons for operation and display of the imaging system in theembodiment.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a wireless waterproof camera unitof the imaging system in the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the body unitregarding a change of a master control in the embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a connection check process of thebody unit in the embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the interchangeablelens unit connecting to the body unit in the embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the external unitconnecting to the body unit in the embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Hereinafter, referring to the drawings, an embodiment of the presentinvention will be explained.

FIGS. 1A to 1C are perspective views of an imaging system in theembodiment of the present invention.

Each of FIGS. 1A and 1B is a perspective view seen from the frontillustrating a state where a different interchangeable lens unit isconnected to a body unit.

FIG. 1C is a perspective view of the body unit seen from the back.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the imaging system, in which referencenumber 1 denotes a body unit, reference number 2 (2′) denotes aninterchangeable lens unit, and reference number 15 denotes a printerunit (a unit with a printer function) as an external unit.

The imaging system according to the embodiment includes the body unit 1,at least one type of interchangeable lens unit including theinterchangeable lens unit 2 (2′), and at least one type of external unitincluding the printer unit 15.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, in place of the interchangeable lens unit 2,the interchangeable lens unit 2′, the printer unit 15 as the externalunit, or the like is capable of being integrally connected to the bodyunit 1.

In the case where the body unit 1 and one of the at least one type ofinterchangeable lens unit are connected, the imaging system according tothe embodiment becomes an imaging device capable of shooting aphotographic subject, and in the case where the body unit 1 and one ofthe at least one type of external unit are connected, the imaging systemaccording to the embodiment becomes a device having a specific functionof the connected external unit.

The body unit 1 has a CPU (central processing unit) 101 as a firstcontroller, an operating section 1 d, a display section 1 b, a memorysection 102 as a first memory section, a communications interface 12 asa first communications section, a flash 5 b, and a power supply 103.

The operating section 1 d detects an input operation by a user. Thedisplay section 1 b is capable of displaying an image expressed byprocessed image data. The memory section 102 is capable of storingprogram data and image data. The communications interface 12 transfersinformation including image data between the body unit 1 and theinterchangeable lens unit 2 (2′) connected to the body unit 1, orbetween the body unit 1 and the printer unit 15 as the external unitconnected to the body unit 1.

The CPU 101 is capable of processing image data, and also capable ofcontrolling the imaging system according to the embodiment of thepresent invention.

The interchangeable lens unit 2 (2′) has an imaging section S, a CPU 201as a second controller, a memory section 202 as a second memory section,and a communications interface 11 as a second communications section.

The imaging section S images a photographic subject and converts it toimage data. The CPU 201 is capable of processing image data. Thecommunications interface 11 transfers information including theprocessed image data between the body unit 1 and the interchangeablelens unit 2 (2′).

The printer unit 15 has a printer mechanism 303 as a function section, aCPU 301 for control as a third controller, a memory section 302 as athird memory section, and a communications interface 11′ as a thirdcommunications section.

The printer mechanism 303 has a printer function. The CPU 301 forcontrol is capable of controlling the imaging system according to theembodiment of the present invention. The memory section 302 storesprogram data for implementing the printer function of the printer unit15. The communications interface 11′ transfers information between thebody unit 1 and the printer unit 15. The communications interface 11′ asthe third communications section is similar to the communicationsinterface 11 as the second communications section.

As additional external units, for example, there are a scanner unitwhich reads an image of a business card and so on, an external memoryunit as an external memory with a large capacity, a projector unit whichprojects and displays an image on a screen and so on, a GPS (globalpositioning system) unit which obtains position information of the GPS,an interface unit for connecting with a peripheral device, a wirelesswaterproof camera unit, an adaptor unit for connecting a special opticalsystem such as a fiberscope, and so on.

In the case where the interchangeable lens unit 2 (2′) or a unit forimage shooting is connected to the body unit 1, the body unit 1 is amaster control of an electronic still camera, and an entire deviceincluding the body unit 1 and the unit connected to the body unit 1operates as an electronic still camera.

That is, in this case, the body unit 1 serves a role of a master devicewhich controls an entire device according to the embodiment of thepresent invention.

Hereinafter, a case where the interchangeable lens unit 2 (2′) isconnected to the body unit 1 will be explained (see FIG. 2).

In this case, the CPU 101 of the body unit 1 controls an entireelectronic still camera.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the memory section 102 includes an internalmemory 102 a, an external memory 102 b, and a memory card slot 102 c. Inthe case where a memory card is inserted in the memory card slot 102 c,a memory area of the memory card is also used.

Imaged data and the like are temporarily stored in the internal memory102 a, and imaged data and the like are ultimately stored in theexternal memory 102 b and the memory card inserted in the memory cardslot 102 c.

The operating section 1 d includes a shutter release switch, a menuswitch, a mode selection switch for selecting an operation mode of theentire device according to the embodiment, a data input-output switchfor inputting and outputting data, and so on, which are not illustrated.

The display section 1 b includes an LCD (liquid crystal display) fordisplay and a touchscreen. The touchscreen serves a part of a functionof the operating section 1 d.

The operating section 1 d, the display section 1 b, the flash 5 b, theinternal memory 102 a, the external memory 102 b, the memory cardinserted in the memory card slot 102 c, the communications interface 12and so on are connected directly or indirectly to the CPU 101, andcontrolled by the CPU 101.

In addition, the body unit 1 has a flash ROM (flash memory), which isnot illustrated, and a program for performing image processing andoperation control processing is stored in the flash ROM.

In accordance with the program, the CPU 101 uses a RAM (not illustrated)which is a work area for executing the program, and executes the imageprocessing and the operation control processing.

The body unit 1 additionally has an audio codec, a microphone, aspeaker, and so on, which are not illustrated, and thereby the body unit1 is capable of audio recording and playback.

In a shooting mode of the electronic still camera as the entire device,image data of a photographic subject imaged by the imaging section S issent to the body unit 1 via the communications interface 11 of theinterchangeable lens unit 2 (2′) and the communications interface 12,and an image expressed by this image data is displayed on the displaysection 1 b by the CPU 101 (a monitoring (live-preview) display state).

And a focusing operation is performed by operating a shutter releasebutton 5 y and when a shooting operation is performed, the shot image isdisplayed on the display section 1 b for a certain time by the CPU 101.

The imaging section S of the interchangeable lens unit 2 (2′) includes ashooting lens 204, an optical system driver 205, and an imaging unit203.

The shooting lens 204 has lens groups including a focus lens and thelike. The optical system driver 205 including a motor driver and so ondrives the lens groups, and thereby zooming and focusing are performed.

The imaging unit 203 includes an image sensor, and an AFE (analog frontend) processor.

The image sensor receives light from the photographic subject via theshooting lens 204, and converts an image of the photographic subjectformed by the received light to an analog image signal.

The analog image signal is sent to the AFE processor, and the AFEprocessor converts the analog image signal to a digital image signal.

The digital image signal is sent to a CPU 201, and in the CPU 201,predetermined image processing such as a YUV data conversion, a JPEGcompression, a RAW data production, or the like is performed on thedigital image signal.

The CPU 201 is a so-called digital image processor.

Between the CPU 201 and the communications interface 11, there is atwo-way bus which transfers image data and a control signal.

Between the communications interface 11 of the interchangeable lens unit2 (2′) and the communications interface 12 of the body unit 1, imagedata, a control signal, and the like are transferred by a serialinterface signal.

The shooting lens 204 has a mechanism of extending and collapsing a lensbarrel 3 (3′), which is not illustrated, and control of the mechanism ofextension and collapse is performed by a control signal from the bodyunit 1.

When the power of the body unit 1 is on, the lens barrel 3 (3′) iscontrolled to be extended, and when the power of the body unit 1 is off,the lens barrel 3 (3′) is controlled to be collapsed.

Additionally, control of zooming of the shooting lens 204 and the likeare also performed by a control signal from the body unit 1.

In addition, the power for the interchangeable lens unit 2 (2′) issupplied from the connected body unit 1.

The interchangeable lens unit 2 (2′) has a DC-DC converter, which is notillustrated. The DC-DC converter produces voltages with a plurality ofvoltage values necessary for operations of the interchangeable lens unit2 (2′) from a voltage with one voltage value supplied by the body unit1.

The DC-DC converter is controlled by an exclusive sub-microcomputer.

In a flash ROM which is the memory section 202 of the interchangeablelens unit 2 (2′), a program for performing image processing andoperation control processing is stored. In accordance with the program,the CPU 201 uses a RAM (not illustrated) as a work area for executingthe program, and executes the image processing and the operation controlprocessing.

Next, a method of connection of the body unit 1 and the interchangeablelens unit 2 (2′) will be explained.

As illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 3B, a connector 11 a of thecommunications interface 11 is provided in a front end part in an Xdirection of the drawing of the interchangeable lens unit 2 (2′), and aconnector 12 a of the communications interface 12 is provided in a backend face in the X direction of the drawing of a grip part 1 c of thebody unit 1.

Firstly, as illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the interchangeable lensunit 2 (2′) is moved in a Z direction, which is illustrated by an arrowin the drawing, to contact a back end wall 8 of the body unit 1. Afterthe interchangeable lens unit 2 (2′) contacts the body unit 1, theinterchangeable lens unit 2 (2′) is slid in the X direction, which isillustrated by an arrow in the drawing.

And when the connector 11 a and the connector 12 a are fitted, the bodyunit 1 and the interchangeable lens unit 2 (2′) are electricallyconnected and also mechanically connected at the same time.

And then, when the body unit 1 is operated and the power is on, the bodyunit 1 and the interchangeable lens unit 2 (2′) become integrated, andthe entire device according to the embodiment operates as the electronicstill camera as the imaging device.

And as illustrated in FIG. 4A, in place of the interchangeable lens unit2 (2′), when a scanner unit 14 as an external unit is connected to thebody unit 1, a master control of an entire device including the bodyunit 1 and the scanner unit 14 as the external unit connected to thebody unit 1 is changed to the scanner unit 14, and the body unit 1operates as an input-output device (display section 1 b, operatingsection 1 d) for supporting a function of the connected scanner unit 14.That is, the body unit 1 becomes a slave device of the connected scannerunit 14.

For example, in the case where the scanner unit 14 illustrated in FIG.4A is a business card reader, a business card is inserted into aninsertion slot 14 a of the scanner unit 14, and the card is opticallyread by pressing a switch of the operating section 1 d, and then animage of the read card is stored in the external memory 102 b of thebody unit 1 illustrated in FIG. 2 and so on.

And additionally, as illustrated in FIG. 4B, in place of theinterchangeable lens unit 2 (2′), when a printer unit 15 as an externalunit is connected to the body unit 1, a master control of an entiredevice including the body unit 1 and the printer unit 15 as the externalunit connected to the body unit 1 is changed to the printer unit 15 inthe same way as the scanner unit 14, and the body unit 1 operates as aninput-output device (display section 1 b, operating section 1 d) forsupporting a function of the connected printer unit 15. That is, thebody unit 1 becomes a slave device of the connected printer unit 15.

That is, the body unit 1 detects a change of a pressed state of theoperating section 1 d (operation switches), and sends information of thepressed state to the printer unit 15 via the communications interfaces11′ and 12.

And the body unit 1 receives a control command from the CPU 301 forcontrol of the printer unit 15 via the communications interfaces 11′ and12, and based on the received control command, displays contentsexpressed by data on the display section 1 b (LCD), writes data to bestored in the external memory 102 b, and reads out data from theexternal memory 102 b and sends it to the printer unit 15.

Thus, the body unit 1 serves a function of a user interface of theexternal unit and a function as an adaptor for accessing the externalmemory 102 b and so on.

The body unit 1 changes a role assigned to each operation switchconstituting the operating section 1 d depending on each specificfunction of the interchangeable lens unit 2 (2′) connected to the bodyunit 1 or the external unit connected to the body unit 1.

Additionally, the body unit 1 uses a touchscreen function of the displaysection 1 b, displays switch icons for performing a specific operationof the connected external unit, detects an operation state of the switchicons, and sends the operation state to the external unit.

Therefore, in the entire device according to the embodiment, it ispossible to operate and instruct a special function which is notassigned to the switches constituting the operating section 1 d. (SeeFIG. 5)

In this case, contents displayed on the display section 1 b areinstructed to the body unit 1 by the control command from the CPU 301for control of the external unit.

A role of the operating section 1 d (operation switches) in the casewhere the body unit 1 operates as a slave device, unlike the case ofworking as the electronic still camera, is determined by each externalunit (master device) connected to the body unit 1.

In the case where the interchangeable lens unit 2′ illustrated in FIG.3B or the printer unit 15 illustrated in FIG. 4B is connected to thebody unit 1, the interchangeable lens unit 2′ or the printer unit 15protrudes greatly in − (negative) X, −Y, and −Z directions in thedrawing from an end part of the body unit 1, compared to theinterchangeable lens unit 2 or the scanner unit 14.

Thus, in the imaging system according to the embodiment of the presentinvention, one corner of the interchangeable lens unit 2 (2′) or onecorner of each of the at least one type of the external unit, and aconcave part 1A of the body unit 1 are fitted, and therefore the size ofthe interchangeable lens unit 2 (2′) or the size of each external unitis unlimited.

Here, an operation of changing the master control by a connection to thebody unit 1 will be explained.

Each of the external units for image shooting such as theinterchangeable lens unit 2 (2′), the wireless waterproof camera unit,the adaptor unit and the like has a communications interface forconnecting with the body unit 1, and a communications protocol followedby each communications interface is common to a communications protocolfollowed by the body unit 1.

Firstly, the body unit 1, in accordance with the communicationsprotocol, performs a connection check between the body unit 1 and theexternal unit, a confirmation of a unit number of the external unit, andso on.

In the imaging system according to the embodiment of the presentinvention, in the case where an external unit with a shooting functionsuch as the interchangeable lens unit 2 (2′), the wireless waterproofcamera unit, the adaptor unit and the like is connected to the body unit1, the external unit (with the shooting function) operates as a slavedevice of the electronic still camera, and the body unit 1 operates as amaster device.

That is, these external units perform a shooting operation, an AFoperation, an AE operation, an image processing operation, and so onbased on the command received from the body unit 1, and send shot andprocessed image data to the body unit 1.

The wireless waterproof camera unit illustrated in FIG. 6 includes awireless unit 17-1 which is connected to the body unit 1, a wirelessunit 17-2 which performs an information communication with the wirelessunit 17-1 by telecommunications, and a special camera unit 22 which isconnected to the wireless unit 17-2 and performs a special shooting.

In this wireless waterproof camera unit, the body unit 1 and the specialcamera unit 22 similar to the interchangeable lens unit 2 (2′) areconnected via the wireless units 17-1 and 17-2, and regarding ashooting, an operation similar to that of the interchangeable lens unit2 (2′) is performed; therefore details will not be explained here.

In the above-described wireless waterproof camera unit, the specialcamera unit 22 and the wireless unit 17-2 have been described asseparated units, however they can be an integrated unit.

Details of the constitutions of the wireless units 17-1 and 17-2 and thespecial camera unit 22 will not be explained here (although see FIG. 6).

And also, as to the adaptor unit for connecting the special opticalsystem such as the fiberscope and so on, regarding the shooting, anoperation similar to that of the interchangeable lens unit 2 (2′) isperformed; therefore details will not be explained here.

Additionally, in the imaging system according to the embodiment of thepresent invention, in the case where an external unit without a shootingfunction is connected to the body unit 1, the external unit (without theshooting function) operates as a master device of the entire deviceincluding the body unit 1 and the unit connected to the body unit 1, andthe body unit 1 operates as a slave device.

As well as the interchangeable lens unit 2 (2′), each of all externalunits without the shooting function has a communications interface forconnecting with the body unit 1.

Also in the case where the external unit without the shooting functionis connected to the body unit 1, the body unit 1, in accordance with thecommunications protocol, performs a connection check between the bodyunit 1 and the external unit, a confirmation of a unit number of theexternal unit, and so on.

And the external unit (without the shooting function) connected to thebody unit 1 operates as a master device for executing its function, andthe body unit 1 operates as a slave device.

For example, in the case where the printer unit 15 as the external unitis connected to the body unit 1, the printer unit 15 becomes a masterdevice and the body unit 1 becomes a slave device.

In accordance with a control command from the printer unit 15 as amaster control, the body unit 1 reads out image data stored in the bodyunit 1, displays an image expressed by the image data on the displaysection 1 b, displays an image selection menu for selecting thedisplayed image, detects an image selection operation of the operatingsection 1 d or the switch icons of the display section 1 b by a user,and then sends detected operation information to the printer unit 15.

When receiving operation information for executing a printing operationfrom the body unit 1, the printer unit 15 controls the printer mechanism303 that feeds paper, prints an image, and so on, and executes theprinting operation.

In particular, the selected image is printed on paper inserted in apaper insertion slot (not illustrated), and printed paper is ejectedfrom a paper ejection slot 15 b (see FIG. 4B).

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the body unit 1regarding a change of a master control in the embodiment.

Here, an operation in the case where the power switch of the body unit 1is turned on after the interchangeable lens unit 2 (2′) or the externalunit is connected to the body unit 1 will be explained.

In FIG. 7, when the power switch of the body unit 1 is turned on (S1),the body unit 1 supplies power to a unit connected to the body unit 1(S2), and performs communication for performing a connection check (S3).

The connection check between the body unit 1 and the interchangeablelens unit 2 (2′) or between the body unit 1 and the external unit isperformed by checking whether a voltage level of each line of the abovesignals is high or low, for example.

However, in the embodiment, the connection check is performed by thebody unit 1 in a manner such that the body unit 1 sends predetermineddata to the unit connected to the body unit 1, and the connected unitsends back the predetermined data received from the body unit 1 to thebody unit 1, and then the body unit 1 confirms whether the predetermineddata sent from the body unit 1 (transmitted data) and the predetermineddata sent back from the connected unit (received data) are matched ornot.

In the above, the connected unit sends back the predetermined datareceived from the body unit 1; however inverted data in which thepredetermined data is inverted can be also used.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a process of the connection check ofS3 illustrated in FIG. 7.

In the embodiment, a communication error status is defined as a flag(variable) which expresses whether a communication error exists or notbetween the body unit 1 and the connected unit on the program installedin the body unit 1.

The flag is set to “0” in the case where the transmitted data and thereceived data are completely matched, and the flag is set to “1” in thecase where the transmitted data and the received data are not matched.

In particular, the body unit 1 firstly sets the communication errorstatus to “0” (S21), and sends predetermined data to the connected unit(S22).

The body unit 1 receives predetermined data sent back from the connectedunit (S23), and the body unit 1 confirms whether the predetermined datapreviously sent from the body unit 1 and the predetermined data sentback from the connected unit are completely matched or not by countingthe number of matched data (S24).

Here, in the case where the transmitted data and the received data arenot matched, the body unit 1 sets the communication error status to “1”(S25), and the process returns to S4 of FIG. 7.

In the case where the transmitted data and the received data arecompletely matched in S24, the body unit 1 receives data of a connectionunit number which expresses a type of unit set beforehand for theconnected unit (S26), and stores the data of the connection unit numberin the body unit 1 (S27), and then the process returns to S4 of FIG. 7.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, the body unit 1 confirms the communicationerror status after the connection check of S3 (S4). And in the casewhere the communication error status is set to “1”, a communicationerror occurs between the body unit 1 and the connected unit, and anentire device including the body unit 1 and the unit connected to thebody unit 1 does not work. And accordingly, the body unit 1 displaysindications that express a communication error has occurred, helps toretry a connection, and so on for a predetermined time (S5), and thenautomatically turns off (S6).

Even in the case where the interchangeable lens unit 2 (2′) or theexternal unit is not connected to the body unit 1, the body unit 1 candisplay an image of image data stored in the external memory 102 b orthe memory card in the memory card slot 102 c on the display section 1 bas a stand-alone operation.

In this case, in place of the above S5, the body unit 1 needs to processan operation such as that of displaying options on the display section 1b in the case of performing the above stand-alone operation.

In S4, in the case where the communication error status is set to “0”,the body unit 1 confirms the type of connected unit by the connectionunit number stored in S27 (S7).

In the case where the connected unit is a unit which performs a shootingoperation (unit with the shooting function) such as the interchangeablelens unit 2 (2′) (No. 1), the wireless waterproof camera unit (No. 7),and the adaptor unit (No. 8), the body unit 1 executes a control programof the electronic still camera installed in the body unit 1 (S8).

And then, depending on whether an operation mode of the imaging deviceincluding the body unit 1 and the unit with the shooting function is ashooting mode or a playback mode (S9), in the case of the shooting mode,the imaging device performs a monitoring (live-preview) operation (S10),and in the case of the playback mode, the imaging device performs aplayback operation (S11).

In S7, in the case where the connected unit is an external unit which isa unit without a shooting function (any one of No. 2 to No. 6), the bodyunit 1 reads out and executes a control program for working as a slavedevice from the memory section 102 (S12), and enters a waiting state toreceive a control command from the external unit (master device) (S13).

In the above explanation, an operation when the power of the body unit 1is on after the interchangeable lens unit 2 (2′) or the external unit isconnected to the body unit 1 has been explained; however the body unit 1can detect a connection (change) by a switch or the like when any one ofunits is connected to the body unit 1 and the connected unit is changed.

Next, FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of theinterchangeable lens unit 2 (2′) connected to the body unit 1.

After the power is supplied by the body unit 1 by S2 of FIG. 7 and thepower of the interchangeable lens unit 2 (2′) is on (S31), theinterchangeable lens unit 2 (2′) receives predetermined data sent fromthe body unit 1 by communication of the connection check performed bythe body unit 1 (S32), and sends back the predetermined data (S33).

And then, the interchangeable lens unit 2 (2′) sends its own connectionunit number (No. 1) set beforehand as illustrated in a table ofconnection unit numbers of FIG. 7 (S34).

The interchangeable lens unit 2 (2′) enters a waiting state (slave mode)to receive a command from the body unit 1 (master device) (S35), and inthe case where there is a communication request from the body unit 1(Yes of S36), the interchangeable lens unit 2 (2′) receives a controlcommand from the body unit 1 (S37), and in the case where there is nocommunication request from the body unit 1 (No of S36), the operationreturns to S36.

Depending on the received control command, the interchangeable lens unit2 (2′) performs, for example, an operation of a camera regardingimaging, and executes a specified operation such as sending imaged datato the body unit 1, and then the operation returns to S36 (S38).

Next, FIG. 10 is a flow chart illustrating an operation of the externalunit without the shooting function connected to the body unit 1.

The power is supplied by the body unit 1 by S2 of FIG. 7, and then afterthe power of the external unit is on (S41), the external unit receivespredetermined data sent from the body unit 1 by communication of theconnection check performed by the body unit 1 (S42), and sends back thepredetermined data (S43).

And then, the external unit sends its own connection unit number setbeforehand (for example, No. 3, when the external unit is the printerunit 15), as illustrated in the table of connection unit numbers of FIG.7 (S44).

In the body unit 1, S4, S7, S12, and S13 of the flowchart illustrated inFIG. 7 are performed, and the body unit 1 enters a waiting state (slavemode) to receive a command from the external unit connected to the bodyunit 1.

Accordingly, the external unit connected to the body unit 1 operates asa master device of an entire device including the body unit 1 and theexternal unit connected to the body unit 1.

The external unit (master device) sends a communication request to thebody unit 1 (slave device) (S45), and continuously sends a command todetect a state of the switches (S46).

The external unit firstly detects an operation state of the operationswitches of the operating section 1 d of the body unit 1.

And in the case where the display section 1 b has the touchscreenfunction, the external unit detects an operation state of the switchicons displayed on the display section 1 b (see FIG. 5).

An assignment of functions to each switch of the operation switches andan assignment of a display of the switch icons to the display section 1b are included in an operation of sending the command to detect thestate of the switches (S46 of FIG. 10).

In particular, the external unit observes a change of a state of each ofthe switches (S47), and if there is a change of an operation state of aswitch (Yes of S47), the external unit executes a predeterminedoperation corresponding to the operation state of the switch (S48).

And if there is a display change accompanied with the predeterminedoperation, the external unit changes a state of the display section 1 b(LCD) of the body unit 1 by sending a communication request (S49), andcontinuously sending a command for the display change (S50).

The external unit confirms whether the predetermined operationcorresponding to the operation state of the switch ends or not (S51). Ifthe predetermined operation does not end (No of S51), the operationreturns to S48, and the external unit executes the following operations(S49, S50, and S51), and if the predetermined operation ends (Yes ofS51), the operation returns to S47, and the external unit confirms anext operation of the switches (next operation instruction by a user).

In S47, if there is no operation of the switches (No of S47), theexternal unit sends a communication request to the body unit 1 (S52),and receives operation information which expresses the operation of theswitches (S53).

And in S47, until there is an operation of the switches, the externalunit repeats S47, S52, and S53.

Thus, the external unit connected to the body unit 1 and the body unit 1become integrated, so that the function of the external unit (forexample, the printer function) is implemented.

Incidentally, if there is an imaging system in which a control programfor controlling an external unit is installed in a body unit, and in thecase where a new product of the external unit is brought onto themarket, in such an imaging system as the above, there may be apossibility of the need to add a change to the control program forcontrolling the external unit installed in the body unit in order toensure compatibility between the external unit and the body unit.

A change of the control program as described above, for example, isperformed in a manner such that the body unit is connected to a PC andthe like; therefore, generally, this involves additional work for auser.

On the other hand, in the imaging system according to the embodiment ofthe present invention, as to the external unit without the shootingfunction, the external unit has the control program for controlling theexternal unit, and therefore it is not necessary to add a change to thecontrol program installed in the body unit 1.

And additionally, as to the interchangeable lens unit 2 (2′) and theexternal unit with the shooting function, a shooting operation of thoseunits is common; therefore if a control program for controlling thoseunits is installed in the body unit 1, it is not necessary to add achange to the control program.

Each of the external units without the shooting function (master device)has a control program for controlling each function section (forexample, the printer mechanism 303 and so on), and a role of each of theswitches of the body unit 1 is set per external unit connected to thebody unit 1 by the control program.

And additionally, by the control program, it is possible to display anoperation menu, progress of an operation, and a result of the operationon the display section 1 b (LCD) of the body unit 1, and store data suchas image data in the memory section 102 of the body unit 1 and the like.

External units connected to the body unit 1 are not limited to thespecifically above-described external units.

According to the above-described embodiment, the body unit 1 obtainsinformation on the type of unit connected to the body unit 1, and iscapable of changing a control of an entire device including the bodyunit 1 and the unit connected to the body unit 1 based on the type ofunit connected to the body unit 1; therefore it is possible to execute aspecific function of the unit connected to the body unit 1.

Additionally, the body unit 1 is capable of processing image dataobtained by a unit with a shooting function including theinterchangeable lens unit 2 (2′), and has a function of displaying andstoring processed image data, and therefore in the case where a unitconnected to the body unit 1 is the unit with the shooting functionincluding the interchangeable lens unit 2 (2′), a controller of the bodyunit 1 serves a control of an entire device including the body unit 1and the unit connected to the body unit 1, and thereby it is possible toeffectively implement a function as an imaging device (entire device).

Moreover, an external unit has a function section for implementing aspecific function of the external unit, a controller which is capable ofcontrolling an entire device including the body unit 1 and the externalunit, a memory section which stores program data for implementing thespecific function of the external unit, and a communications sectionwhich transfers information between the body unit 1 and the externalunit, and therefore in the case where a unit connected to the body unit1 is an external unit without a shooting function, it is possible for acontroller of the external unit to serve a control of an entire deviceincluding the body unit 1 and the external unit, and the entire deviceeffectively implements a specific function of the external unit.

And furthermore, in the case where the external unit serves the controlof the entire device including the body unit 1 and the external unit,depending on a control command sent from the external unit, the bodyunit 1 serves only a function as a user interface which implements atleast one of an operation of sending an input result of an operation bya user, an operation of displaying information received from theexternal unit on the display section 1 b, and an operation of writing orreading out the information received from the external unit on or fromthe memory section 102, and therefore the body unit 1 does not need tohave an unnecessary control program installed in the body unit 1, and itis possible to reduce a memory amount for installing the program.

And it is possible to reduce costs of a function of an external unitthat a user (customer) does not use, a program for controlling a userinterface of the function, and a memory section for a necessary memoryamount for installing the program.

Although the present invention has been described in terms of exemplaryembodiments, it is not limited thereto. It should be appreciated thatvariations may be made in the embodiments described by persons skilledin the art without departing from the scope of the present invention asdefined by the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An imaging system comprising: a body unit; atleast one type of interchangeable lens unit; and at least one type ofexternal unit, wherein in the case where the body unit and one of the atleast one type of interchangeable lens unit are connected integrally,the imaging system becomes an imaging device configured to shoot aphotographic subject, and in the case where the body unit and one of theat least one type of external unit are connected integrally, the imagingsystem becomes a device having a specific function of the external unitconnected to the body unit, when the interchangeable lens unit or theexternal unit is connected to the body unit, the body unit obtainsinformation on a type of a unit connected to the body unit, and isconfigured to change a control of an entire device including the bodyunit and the unit connected to the body unit based on the type of theunit connected to the body unit, the body unit includes an operatingsection and a display section, in a case where an external unit withouta shooting function is connected to the body unit, the external unitbecomes a master device, and the operating section and the displaysection of the body unit is used as a user interface, the operatingsection detects an input operation by a user, the display section isconfigured to display an image expressed by processed image data, thebody unit has: a first controller which is configured to process theimage data and control the imaging system; a first memory section whichis configured to store program data which implements a function of theimaging device and image data; and a first communications section whichtransfers information containing image data between the body unit andthe interchangeable lens unit connected to the body unit or between thebody unit and the external unit connected to the body unit, theinterchangeable lens unit has: an imaging section which images aphotographic subject and converts it to image data; a second controllerwhich is configured to process the image data; a second memory sectionwhich is configured to store the image data imaged and converted by theimaging section; and a second communications section which transfersinformation containing the processed image data between the body unitand the interchangeable lens unit, and the external unit has: a functionsection which implements a specific function of the external unit; athird controller which is configured to control the imaging system; athird memory section which stores program data for implementing thespecific function of the external unit; and a third communicationssection which transfers information between the body unit and theexternal unit, and when the interchangeable lens unit or the externalunit is connected to the body unit via each of the communicationssections, the body unit obtains information on the type of the unitconnected to the body unit, and in the case where the unit connected tothe body unit is the interchangeable lens unit or an external unit witha shooting function of the at least one type of external unit, thecontroller of the body unit serves a control of the entire deviceincluding the body unit and the unit connected to the body unit, and inthe case where the unit connected to the body unit is an external unitwithout a shooting function of the at least one type of external unit,the controller of the external unit serves a control of an entire deviceincluding the body unit and the external unit.
 2. The imaging systemaccording to claim 1, wherein in the case where the external unit servesthe control of the entire device including the body unit and theexternal unit, depending on a control command sent from the externalunit, the body unit serves only a function as the user interface whichimplements at least one of an operation of sending an input result ofthe operating section by the user, an operation of displayinginformation received from the external unit on the display section, andan operation of writing or reading out the information received from theexternal unit on or from the first memory section.
 3. The imaging systemaccording to claim 1, wherein the external unit with the shootingfunction is an adaptor unit for connecting a special optical system. 4.The imaging system according to claim 1, wherein the external unit withthe shooting function has a telecommunications function which isconfigured to communicate with the body unit by wireless or wiredcommunication.
 5. The imaging system according to claim 1, wherein theexternal unit without the shooting function of the at least one type ofthe external unit is any one of an external memory unit which extends amemory capacity of the first memory section of the body unit, a printerunit which prints the image data, a projector unit which projects anddisplays the image data, a scanner unit which scans an image andconverts it to image data, and an interface unit which is configured totransfer the image data between a peripheral device and the externalunit.
 6. The imaging system according to claim 1, wherein the firstcontroller controls the imaging system when control of the entire deviceis changed in favor of the body unit.
 7. The imaging system according toclaim 1, wherein the third controller controls the imaging system whencontrol of the entire device is changed in favor of the external unit.8. The imaging system according to claim 1, wherein the first controllercontrols the imaging system when control of the entire device is changedin favor of the body unit, and the third controller controls the imagingsystem when control of the entire device is changed in favor of theexternal unit.
 9. The imaging system according to claim 1, whereinchange of the control of the entire device includes switching either thebody unit or the external unit to operate as a master device whichcontrols the entire device, depending on the type of the unit connectedto the body unit.
 10. The imaging system according to claim 9, whereinchange of the control of the entire device includes switching the otherof the body unit or the external unit to operate as a slave devicecontrolled by the master device.
 11. The imaging system according toclaim 1, wherein the external unit without the shooting functionincludes at least one type of external unit including one of a printerunit which prints image data, a projector unit which projects anddisplays image data, and a scanner unit which scans an image andconverts it to image data.